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CONTENTS:

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:

1. World
2. Africa
3. Americas
4. Asia Pacific
5. Europe
6. Middle East
7. South Asia
8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare
9. Finance
10 Human Rights
11. Law and Legal Issues
12. Transportation
13. Weapons of Mass Destruction
14. Recently Published

FEATURE ARTICLE:
Suicide Bombing Prevention and Mitigation Measures

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

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1. World

Russia is taking measures to attempt to contain the spread of avian influenza. It traveled from migrating birds in Asia to Siberia and five other regions. The deadly H5N1 strain that can spread to humans has reached the Ural mountains, which separate Europe and Asia. It has been spreading at a rate of 20-30 miles per day and could easily spread throughout Europe and on to the Middle East and Africa. There is one unconfirmed case on the Caspian Sea, which would mark the first infection west of the Urals. Russia has destroyed infected and quarantined villages where infections have occurred, but central controls are weak and it is unlikely that measures taken have been comprehensive or effective. Dutch authorities have stepped up surveillance and ordered farmers to keep poultry indoors. Germany is undertaking similar emergency restrictions. France has put veterinary inspectors on high alert. The European Commission has banned imports of birds from Russia and Kazakhstan, although neither country exports to the EU.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2005_08_18/en/index.html
http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/subjects/en/health/diseases-cards/special_avian.html

US Republican Senator John McCain and Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton visited Alaska and Canada's Yukon territory to observe first-hand the melting permafrost and glaciers, making the case that global warming is real and the impact of human activity cannot be ignored. The high-profile visit of the two possible presidential contenders raises the profile of the issue and challenges President Bush's dismissal of the global threat. New Scientist magazine warns of the impact of Siberia, "the world's largest peat bog" melting, as well as the early thaw of the Great Lakes in the US, "the planet's largest concentration of fresh water".
http://www.adn.com/front/story/6829476p-6724753c.html
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article306881.ece
http://nsidc.org/news/
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/earth/mg18725124.500
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7876

UN workers around the world marked the second anniversary of the bombing of UN headquarters in Baghdad that claimed the lives of 22 people, including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio Vieira de Mello, and injured hundreds more.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=82&Body=Iraq&Body1=\

Across Asia and in Europe countries marked the end of the second World War in the Pacific (V-J Day) with commemorative ceremonies. Memories of wartime atrocities linger throughout the region, including infamous events such as the 1937 rape of Nanjing in which 300,000 civilians were massacred, and the deaths of some 250,000 as part of the Japanese germ warfare program in China. Japan again apologized for atrocities.

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2. Africa

Burundi's parliament elected former rebel leader and sole candidate Pierre Nkurunziza the new president. He is the first democratically chosen since the civil war began in 1993, and will be inaugurated on 26 August. This political progress has inspired intensified fighting on the part of the National Liberation Forces (FNL), the only rebel group remaining outside the peace process. For the first time their attacks spread to northern provinces.

In Central African Republic attacks by unidentified armed groups against refugees in the northwest has forced some 4,000 people to flee into Chad.

Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo used a speech last Thursday to acknowledge widespread extra-judicial killings and other gross human rights abuses by the police, and promised to take action to clean up the force.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200508190726.html
http://hrw.org/reports/2005/nigeria0705/

In Republic of Congo a court has acknowledged that 353 refugees had been killed in 1999 but that it was impossible to determine what had happened. All 15 senior army officers of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes were acquitted. The government was ordered to pay compensation to relatives of 86 missing refugees. The verdict will be appealed.

Rwanda has granted refugee status to Colonel Jules Mutebutsi of the Congolese Rally for Democracy, a Rwandan-backed group that fought against Democratic Republic of Congo's government during the civil war, following his written declaration of abandoning armed struggle.

In Sudan fresh violence and looting broke out, including police raids on refugee camps in the south that have led the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) to withdraw from a committee investigating the riots that followed the death of former rebel SPLM leader John Garang.

In the Western Sahara the last 404 men detained by the Polisario Front have been released. The Polisario Front has been fighting for independence from Morocco and had held some of these prisoners for more than 20 years.

Zimbabwe has turned away offers of assistance from neighboring governments, the Southern African Development Community, and the African Union, leaving only South Africa trying to work through the economic, political and social crises that could turn the country into a failed. State. The government has tabled a constitutional amendment that would nationalize all land, stop appeals, and speed up acquisition of white-owned land. The football (soccer) team has been rewarded for winning a regional tournament with land. The International Crisis Group investigates " Zimbabwe's Operation Murambatsvina: The Tipping Point?" They say that " With its brutal slum and street clearance campaign "Murambatsvina", Zimbabwe's governance has reached a low point which it is now almost impossible for its neighbors to ignore, despite the reluctance until now of African governments and institutions to be openly critical."
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=3618

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3. Americas

Brazilian officials plan to visit London next week for clarification of the fatal shooting of jean Charles de Menezes on 22 July, soon after the failed second bombings against London's transport system. They will meet with the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is investigating the death, as well as the Metropolitan police.

Chile's Congress held a special session to abolish a system of appointed judges, reduce the presidential term from six to four years, and address other constitutional measures that had been left over from the Pinochet military junta, 1973-1990.

Colombia's Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels have rejected discussion of a prisoner exchange unless the military withdraws from two western districts.

Cuba and Panama have restored diplomatic relations. They had been broken off last year when Panama's former president pardoned four Cuban exiles accused of attempting to assassinate Cuban President Castro.

Ecuador's state oil company temporarily suspended oil exports and the army has stepped in following nearly a week of protests including the occupation of oil installations and airports. The protestors want reinvestment in the region, but the government says it will not negotiate until the protests stop. Dozens of people have been injured.

Several Guatemalan prisons were the scenes of violent gun battles between the rival gangs Mara Salvatrucha and Mara 18. At least 30 prisoners were killed and more than 50 injured before police and soldiers were able to regain control of the prisons.

In Haiti the number of shooting deaths and lynching has increased in the past two weeks. UN peacekeepers are working with local authorities to decentralize the capital, Port-au-Prince, and other security and stabilization measures.

Mexico has complained of lack of cooperation and overreaction following increased political tension with the US after the states of New Mexico and Arizona declared states of emergency connected with increased border violence associated with the drug trade.

Peru's new Prime Minister, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, the former finance minister, has been sworn in.

The US Central Intelligence Agency's Inspector General has completed its report on 9/11. It will be released pending a CIA response to its findings.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/19/AR2005081901526.html

The National Security Archive has released several new document collections regarding authority vested in the Director of National Intelligence, State Department warnings of lack of post-war security planning for Iraq, and updates to the Taliban file.
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB144/index.htm
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB163/index.htm
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB134/index2.htm

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4. Asia Pacific

Australia's ruling Liberal-National coalition took control of the Senate, following the swearing-in of senators elected last October, as well as the House: the first time in 24 years a government has controlled both chambers.

Burma has imposed increased travel restrictions on aid workers, forcing the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to stop its program and, for the first time, withdraw from a country in which it is operating. More than half a million Burmese have HIV/AIDS, and the country has one of the world's highest rates of tuberculosis. A UN special envoy met with Burmese military leaders, who say that constitutional talks will resume by December.

Chinese and Russian armed forces have conducted their first joint exercises, demonstrating strong relations between the countries and posing a counterweight to the US.

China has set up special police units in 36 cities to address riots, terrorism, and other threats to public security. Economic and land disputes have led to increased numbers of violent disputes and riots. In 2004 there were around 74,000. The government is anxious to ensure stability ahead of the 2008 summer Olympics.

In Taiwan, the prosecutor general has closed the investigation into last year's pre-election shooting of President Chen Shui-bian and the vice president, finding that the suspected gunman had acted alone and there was no evidence of accomplices.

Indonesia commemorated its 60th anniversary of independence from the Netherlands. The Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot offered a formal apology for suffering when it tried to maintain colonial control. Soon after the celebrations a massive power outage caused major disruption among 120 million people in at least three provinces.

One Independence Day observance has come under criticism domestically and abroad, particularly from Australians affected by the Bali bombings. At least 14,800 people convicted of minor crimes were released and 103,000 prisoners had their sentences remitted, including some like militant cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, that had been convicted of terrorism offenses. The practice will be reviewed.

The Indonesian government and rebels from the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) signed a landmark peace agreement on August 15. It is meant to end a conflict that has gone on for nearly 30 years. Note "Aceh: A New Chance for Peace" at
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=3615

President Yudhoyono suggested the Aceh agreement could be a model for resolving another separatist conflict, in the province of Papua. Two days later, the government condemned a report by the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies in Australia that accused the military of widespread human rights abuses and training local government militias that have decimated highland tribal communities in Papua.
http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/centres/cpacs/wpp.htm

Kazakhstan's constitutional court has set elections for the first Sunday in December.

North Korea has restarted the Yongbyon nuclear reactor, according to a report in the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, quoting unnamed sources.

Kyrgyzstan's acting president won a landslide election victory and has now been officially inaugurated as the country's new president.

Philippines security forces report they recovered the skeletal remains of Jemaah Islamiah member Omar Patek beside the remains of Abu Sayyaf guerilla Ustadz Hamad Idris. They were apparently killed in a clash with security forces last month. Patek was wanted in connection with the 2002 Bali bombings.

Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra used a shopping tour of the south to reassure traders that the insurgency is under control.

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5. Europe

In Czechoslovakia a recent survey found that four out of five people expect a terrorist attack in the Republic, and 39 percent believed public transport the most likely target. Only six percent reported their lives had changed because of terrorism.
http://www.praguemonitor.com/ctk?id=20050817E01552

Irish police have interviewed the three IRA members who had fled Colombia after being sentenced to 17 years in prison for training FARC guerillas. They have been released without charge but the Irish government says it will meet its international obligations, including any extradition requests.

The Danish Radio License Commission has taken away the license of Radio Holger for three months following a broadcast that called for the extermination of Muslims.

In Turkey, separatist rebels of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) announced a 1-month ceasefire as long as they were not attacked. This measure followed Turkey's offer of peace talks.

British police face increased pressure following leaked investigation papers that contradict initial accounts of the death of Jean Charles de Menezes. There may be a public inquiry. Brazilian officials are arriving to establish how one of their innocent citizens was killed.

Oxford University is investigating a new animal rights campaign that publicized personal data of people involved in a planned new bio-medical facility.
http://www.oxfordstudent.com/tt2005wk5/news/university_launches_probe_into_staff_leaks_to_animal_activists
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/environment/article305938.ece

In Northern Ireland, an ongoing feud between the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) and the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) led to a fourth murder and other sectarian attacks. In east Belfast violence erupted on Saturday, leading to a riot involving about 400 nationalists and loyalists.

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlan, who played a major role in establishing the Good Friday Agreement, died on August 19.

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6. Middle East

Egypt's first ever multi-party presidential campaign is underway.

In Gaza the Israeli withdrawal is underway. Most settlers were removed during the week, then after a pause for the Sabbath, the operation resumed. As the settlers leave, Israeli forces began demolition of the settlements. The Palestinian Authority decreed it will have control over all land and assets left being. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas joined Friday prayers to give thanks for the withdrawal and to remember Palestinians killed during the 38-year occupation. Palestinian parliamentary elections have been announced for 25 January 2006. Hamas is expected to do well. The militant group said that Gaza is not Palestine, and they will continue working to drive Israel from the West Bank and Jerusalem.

Iran's new President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has introduced his new cabinet to parliament, who will determine whether to approve the 20 nominees, almost all conservatives.

The Iraqi constitution was not ready by the 15 August deadline, so a 1-week extension was granted. Federalism, oil revenue, and religion remain sticking points that could lead to another extension or force the dissolution of parliament and new elections. In the absence of government institutions, local militias are rising to fill the gap. Bombings and other attacks during the week killed dozens, and injured more than a hundred. The largest number of casualties came from three coordinated car bombs in Baghdad. The US is sending 700 paratroopers to bolster prison security. Japan's main opposition Democratic Party of Japan says it will pull troops out of Iraq if elected. Russian President Putin called for an international conference by yearend and a timetable for withdrawal of occupying forces.

In Jordan, as many as four attackers used a rocket launcher to fire missiles at a US ship docked in Aqaba port and an Israeli airport. One Jordanian soldier was killed in Aqaba. One suspect has been arrested. The Abdullah al-Azzam Brigades of the al Qaeda Organization in the Levant and Egypt said it was responsible for that and other attacks.

Saudi Arabian security forces report that the al Qaeda leader in the country, Saleh Awfi, was killed during a shootout in Medina, along with as many as five other militants.

Yemen's state prosecutor has opened the trial of more than 30 alleged Shia rebels who are accused of belonging to an illegal armed group, supporting deceased rebel cleric Hussein al-Houthi in a series of attacks against security forces.

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7. South Asia

Afghanistan continues preparations for parliamentary and provincial elections despite the burden of a violent insurgency and lack of basic infrastructure. As campaigning opened, an explosion in Kandhar killed one policeman and injured 14 others: roadside bombs and gunfights claimed other casualties during the week. A security force offensive against Taleban rebels and other militants killed 28 suspects.

Bangladesh is concerned over the possibility of a militant Islam campaign of violence following a major attack on August 17. More than 450 small bombs went off simultaneously across the country. Two people were killed and about 150 injured. The banned Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh said it was responsible. Security forces are investigating, and the opposition Awami League called a one-day general strike calling for government action against crime.

The Bangladesh Rifles and India Border Security Force exchanged heavy fire at the border in a dispute over construction of a river embankment. There were no casualties and the fighting has stopped.

India's Andhra Pradesh state imposed a ban on the rebel Communist Party of India (Maoist) and several front organizations following an attack in which a Congress Party legislator and nine other people were shot dead, and eight others injured. This was believed to be the first CPI-M attack at a public gathering.

Nepal government troops investigating a deadly attack last week that killed at least 70 have clashed with Maoists, killing six rebels. Maoist rebels affiliated with the All Nepal Trade Union threatened a Unilever soap factory, which has closed to protect its employees from the coercive arson and bomb attacks that have been seen in similar disputes.

Pakistani troops are providing security for provincial governments during local elections, following several attacks that killed at least four and injured 12.

Sri Lankan President Chandra Kumaratunga said that despite their denials the Tamil Tigers are responsible for the murder of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, which has led to a massive manhunt and 12 arrests. She also said she will redouble efforts to reach a peace deal, and the Tigers have told mediators they will resume talks. The state of emergency has been extended for one month.

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8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare

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The Microsoft Plug and Play vulnerability that affects Windows 2000 machines was patched on August 9, but code to exploit it appeared shortly after and has led to a virtual war among rival virus writers. Recent exploits seriously disrupted media companies such as ABC, CNN, The Financial Times and the New York Times, as well as Caterpillar, General Electric, and United Parcel Service, though overall infections have been low.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS05-039.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/zotob.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/899588.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/malwareremove
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.zotob.e.html
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.esbot.a.html
http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/zotob_a.shtml
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/73b96c5c-0ea7-11da-9c92-00000e2511c8.html
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/internet/08/16/computer.worm/index.html
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=1044187

Adobe has issued security updates to correct a buffer overflow vulnerability in Acrobat and Reader.
http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/321644.html
http://secunia.com/advisories/16466
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/896220

Dutch politicians and police have raised concerns that the Google Earth and similar programs that provide detailed satellite images could increase vulnerability by providing information of potential targets.
http://www.dmeurope.com/default.asp?ArticleID=9618
http://www.dmeurope.com/default.asp?ArticleID=9618

New York State has enacted the "Information Security Breach and Notification Act" to notify individuals in NY if there personal data has been compromised. It is similar to California's law, and will take effect in early December. Search for bill no S3494 at
http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menuf.cgi

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9. Finance

US financial regulators, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), have imposed a $24 million civil penalty on the New York branch of Arab Bank PLC. It was accused of Bank Secrecy Act failures to "implement robust anti-money laundering systems and controls tailored to their operations and the risks associated with them".
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js2684.htm

The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) identified 30 companies and individuals under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act who are associated with the drug trafficking organizations Arriola Marquez Organization and Arellano Felix Organization.
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js2686.htm
http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20050818.shtml

German prosecutors' investigation into money laundering at Commerzbank has drawn in chief executive Klaus-Peter Mueller, who is now under formal investigation of possible illegal activity regarding a Russian telecommunications company.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) have charged six men with a money laundering scheme in which funds of more fraudulently obtained from the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme would be laundered in a gambling cruise ship.
http://www.css.gov.au/css/news/CEO_update_on_2003_fraud.html
http://www.afp.gov.au/afp/page/Media/2005/mr_05081_ css.pdf
http://www.afp.gov.au/afp/page/Media/2005/mr050816cssfraud.pdf

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) released a new report, "Caught in the web: wildlife trade on the Internet" that describes the illegal trade undertaken by organized criminal groups. The multi-billion dollar trade includes open auction of Siberian tigers and other rare species. Difficult to detect or deter, it threatens to wipe out whole species.
http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw/general/default.aspx?oid=139443

White Rock Insurance, a unit of Aon Corporation, has announced a new terrorism insurance program for corporate buyers.
http://www.aon.com/uk/en/about/Press_Office/white_rock.jsp

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10. Human Rights

In the US state of Georgia, Lena Baker, a black woman who was executed in the electric chair in 1945, will receive a posthumous pardon. Although she admitted the crime, she insisted it was self-defense, and could have been convicted of voluntary manslaughter rather than murder. A formal proclamation will be presented on August 30.
http://www.pap.state.ga.us/
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/16/national/16pardon.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1124577192-P7qFFmMvzuBDCsgadJbPIw
http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/not_guilty/lena_baker/

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination ended its 67th Session by approving a recommendation outlining ways to prevent racial discrimination in national criminal justice and law enforcement systems.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=15473&Cr=discrimination&Cr1=rights
http://www.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/cerds67.htm

In Russia, the Moscow Bureau of Human Rights pointed to ten deaths and 200 attacks as the result of hate crimes, three times higher than last year. They also cited increased xenophobia, with an increasing majority of people supporting "Russia for Russians".

Oxfam has called on Brazil, India, Russia and the US to support UN reform that will require the organization to act quickly to prevent future genocides. These powerful and influential countries have opposed strong language or are willing to support a watered-down version.
http://www.oxfam.org/eng/pr050814_un_genocide.htm

Human Rights Watch has weighed in on proposed new anti-terrorism measures. In particular they stress that promises made with governments that torture their citizens are "Not worth the Paper They're Written On".
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/08/13/uk11627.htm
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2005/08/10/uk11620.htm

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11. Law and Legal Issues

Shabbir Ahmed, former imam of the Lodi mosque in California, agreed to abandon his fight to remain in the US and instead return to Pakistan. A UN immigration judge had ruled that he posed a threat to the community based on accusations that he planned to set up a religious school to train terrorists.
http://www.ice.gov/graphics/news/newsreleases/articles/050815sanfrancisco.htm

Hassan Al-Arishi was arrested by Egyptian police on suspicion of planning the July bombings in Sharm al-Sheikh, in which at least 64 people were killed.

Michel Bagaragaza has been transferred from Rwanda to the international tribunal in Tanzania and then, due to security concerns, was sent on to The Hague, where he pleaded not guilty to genocide charges. He is accused of playing a leading role, using his position as head of the tea industry (a major export) to help Hutu tea factory workers kill hundreds of Tutsi civilians.

Abu Bakar Ba'asyir's 30-month jail term for conspiracy in the Bali bombing was reduced by more than four months as part of an Indonesian Independence Day remissions tradition. Families of bomb victims and their governments have asked Indonesia to reconsider this policy.

Abdelmajid Bouchar has been arrested in Belgrade. The Moroccan presented false Iraqi identity papers during a routine border check. He is wanted in Spain in connection with the Madrid train bombings.

Agung Abdul Hamid was found guilty in Indonesian court of financing and coordinating the 2002 bombing of a McDonald's restaurant. He has been sentenced to life in prison, but plans to appeal.

Leonard Hardy was arrested in Spain by police acting on a warrant issued by German authorities. Living in Belfast, Hardy had been sentenced in 1990 to five years in prison in the Republic of Ireland for carrying explosives on a ferry. He is wanted in Germany for the 1989 Irish Republican Army (IRA) bombing of a British army base in Osnabruck.

Osman Hussain ("Hamdi Issac") will appeal the decision of an Italian court to extradite him to the UK, where he is wanted in connection with the failed bombings of 21 June.

Mounir al-Motassadek, was found guilty in German court of belonging to a terrorist organization and sentenced to seven years in prison. He had been convicted of involvement in the 9/11 plot, and was friends with three of the 9/11 suicide hijackers, but this conviction was overturned when a court ruled there was no proof he knew of the plot. The year-long retrial included extracts from suspected al Qaeda prisoners held in the US, but interviews and other evidence was not permitted by US authorities, contributing to the German court's decision that there was insufficient evidence to connect him to the 9/11 plot.

Muhammad Hashim Qadeer, associated with the banned Harkat-ul-Mujahedeen and Jaish-e Muhammad, was arrested in Pakistan in July and has now been moved to Karachi for prosecution in the killing of US journalist Daniel Pearl.

Vladimiro Montesinos, the spy chief under Fujimori, faces his first human rights trial. He is in court in Peru in connection with leading the Colina Group death squad. He is already serving 15 years in prison and faces nearly a hundred other charges including arms trafficking and corruption.

Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi was convicted of the Lockerbie bombing, but fresh doubts have emerged following the discovery that three other trials in which a Lockerbie forensics scientist gave evidence had been overturned. The commission reviewing his conviction has been given relevant papers.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4164422.stm

Hamad Riaz Samana was arrested in Los Angeles. Counterterrorism officials investigating a robbery have uncovered a possible connection between prison gangs and Islamic extremists.

Jason Smithers, convicted of breaking interstate transportation and anti-spa laws in connection with accepting $28,000 for providing AOL's database of 92 million screen names and email addresses to spammers, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison.

Izhar Ul-Haque has been committed to stand trial in Australia on charges of knowingly receiving training from a banned terrorist organization, Lashkar-e-Toiba. His attorney has argued that the trial should be stayed due to insufficient evidence and a defective indictment.

Asher Weissgan, a West Bank settler, has been arrested for shooting six Palestinian co-workers, four of whom died, in what Prime Minister Sharon called an "exceptionally grave Jewish act of terror". Weissgan said he was not sorry and hoped someone would kill Sharon. A psychiatric evaluation has been ordered.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtVty.jhtml?sw=asher+weissgan&itemNo=613936

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12. Transportation

The Indian Express described the new government policy of taking action to prevent hijacked foreign planes from landing in India.
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=76500

The decision by the Joint War Committee to include the Malacca Strait and certain areas of the southern Philippines continued to generate controversy last week. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and Intertanko hosted a briefing last week that reviewed the issues.
http://www.marisec.org/news/pressrel.htm#16%20August%2005

Ships in the Malacca Straits have been asked to watch for a missing Malaysian tugboat that was hijacked on August 16 by Indonesian pirates. One crew member was rescued after being thrown overboard. Eight other crew members were taken hostage and their fate is unknown.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=151272
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/8/21/nation/11834007&sec=nation

Despite this incident, the most serious incidents are taking place in Somalia. A Juba Valley Alliance militia reported that an unidentified ship has been hijacked, and that the crew and cargo are being held. This report emerged shortly after the International Maritime Bureau warned that " acts of piracy are increasing at an alarming rate off the eastern coast of Somalia. Fifteen violent incidents have taken place since mid-March of this year. This is a dramatic increase compared with only two such attacks in all of 2004. Ships sailing in these waters are advised to be extremely cautious.
http://www.icc-ccs.org/main/news.php?newsid=53
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=248442&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__africa/

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Coast Guard began the Port Security Training Exercises Program (PortSTEP) to help build links within the Area Maritime Security (AMS) Committee, which assists the captain of the port in supporting port security planning and implementation.
http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=44&content=090005198015c2cd

The International Maritime Organization Facilitation Committee will consider the use of an electronic database in place of paper-based checking of ship documentation.
http://www.imo.org
http://www.marisec.org/news/pressrel.htm

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13. Weapons of Mass Destruction

The Medical Association for the Prevention of War (MAPW) in Australia warns that private research at the country's only nuclear reactor would make it easier for terrorists or rogue states to build atomic weapons. This would be incompatible with nonproliferation undertakings and dangerous. The warning came in testimony before a parliamentary committee inquiry into the strategic importance of Australia's uranium resources.
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/isr/uranium/index.htm
http://www.mapw.org.au/

Britain's Environment Agency warns that the nuclear dump at Drigg has inadequate safety plans and that rising sea levels caused by global warning could destroy the site in as little as 500 years.
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/environment/article306165.ece
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7591
The impact of climate change on nuclear safety around the world will be considered at a scientific meeting of IAEA next month.
http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/News/2005/tsunami.html
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/

The US Government Accountability Office report, " U.S. Nuclear Materials: DOE Needs to Take Action to Safely Consolidate Plutonium" finds that 50 metric tons of plutonium, some contaminated, lacks the facilities, budget, and strategy to ensure safe monitoring and safety of long-term storage.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-665

The Congressional Research Service Report "Nuclear Cooperation With India: Issues for Congress" criticizes the White House plan to allow nuclear technology exports to India.
http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/50809.pdf

The US government issued a Request for Proposal for additional smallpox vaccine in its national stockpile.
http://www.bavarian-nordic.com/29-05_UK
http://www.acambis.com/default.asp?id=1384

The US Environmental Protection Agency's National Drinking Water Advisory Council's Water Security Working Group completed their report, providing security guidelines for utilities and other water facilities.
http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/ndwac/council.html

Vietnam has adopted rules to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention.

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14. Recently Published

Anonymous, transl. Philip Boehm, "A Woman in Berlin: Eight Weeks in the Conquered City", Henry Holt

John Bradley, "Saudi Arabia Exposed: Inside a Kingdom in Crisis", Palgrave Macmillan

Stephen Budiansky, "Her Majesty's Spymaster", Viking

Horst Fischer and Noelle Quenivet , editors, "Post-Conflict Reconstruction: Nation- and/or State-Building, Bochumer Schriften zur Friedenssicherung und zum humanitaren Volkerrecht

Joel Kotkin, "The City: A Global History", Modern Library/Weidenfeld and Nicolson

Helen Schary Motro, "Maneuvering Between the Headlines: An American lives through the Intifada", Other Press

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FEATURE ARTICLE: Suicide Bombing Prevention and Mitigation Measures

Addressing the root causes of any terrorist activity is the most effective way to reduce the threat it poses. However, it takes time for counterterrorism strategies to have a positive impact, so in the meantime there are a number of tactical measures that can be taken to reduce the chance that an attack will become a disaster and to mitigate any immediate threats. Following last week's brief history of suicide attacks, this article focuses on measures to mitigate the contemporary threat.

Before an attack occurs, the potential suicide bomber needs the financial wherewithal to acquire the necessary supplies and any logistical support. The cost of suicide bombs is quite low. Even a large attack using a vehicle would be only a few thousand dollars. This makes it difficult to trace financing to individuals, but efforts to counter the use of charities, organized crime, front companies and other entities can help limit access to the necessary funds.

To build a bomb requires a combustible material (fuel plus oxygen), a means of detonation, and a delivery mechanism - in this case, an individual walking, biking, driving, or otherwise moving to the target.

One of the simplest explosives is black powder, like that used in rifles, which can be loaded into a container to create a pipe bomb. In a suicide attack, several of these can be strapped to an individual and detonates together, creating a large blast with a lot of damaging shrapnel. Other simple explosives are those used commercially, like dynamite or nitroglycerin. Ammonium nitrate is another common explosive, because it is used in fertilizers and can be mixed with many other substances, including sugar, to create an explosive mixture. This is most commonly used with large containers, such as a loaded vehicle. High explosives are more difficult to obtain, but terrorist groups often use C4, PETN, and Semtex.

Detonation can be accomplished through electronic signals, chemical reactions, and other means, directly or remotely. Detonators can be obtained commercially but are more heavily regulated than the fuel. Many used in suicide attacks are improvised devices or involve direct detonation.

Simple bombs can be built with materials obtained from your local hardware or toy store. The Criminal Complaint filed in US District Court against Irving Rubin and Earl Krugel, of the Jewish Defense League, described their efforts to bomb a mosque and other Arab institutions in and around Los Angeles. A confidential source cited in the Complaint explained their plans, including advice from Krugel, who took the source to Home Depot and told him " not to purchase end-caps at the same time he/she purchased the pipes because making the purchases at the same time would arouse suspicion".

Despite the fact that most bomb components have legitimate uses, there are still indicators that can indicate an attack is in preparation. For example, common household items ranging from alcohol and car batteries to petroleum jelly and vinegar are used in bomb making and their purchase in unusually large quantities could be a warning sign. Similarly, be aware of the theft of such component items and of chemicals, explosives, blasting caps, or fuses. If you are a supplier of such material, also be aware of direct orders that are delivered to self-storage, residential, or rural addresses.

In some situations, you may notice behavior that suggests an individual is not thinking of the future. This is why airlines pay extra scrutiny to one-way tickets. Other indicators may include making a purchase without getting change or a receipt.

In connection with law enforcement or other investigations, other indicators may be present. For example, a traffic stop may reveal a license plate that is inconsistent with the registration or expose a vehicle that has been modified to handle a heavy load. Use of chemicals often leaves physical traces. In apartments, hotel rooms and self-storage units, there may be brightly colored stains, foul odors, rusted metal, and traces of chemical fires. Remote rural or wooded areas may show signs of test explosions. Similarly, an individual presenting chemical burns or missing fingers or hands might have been involved with chemicals or explosive devices.

As for personal indicators, forget it. There is no predictable psychological profile for a suicide bomber, and profiles developed in particular situations in the past are of little relevance today. Instead of trying to develop a profile, rely on behavioral indicators. Among the more reliable are:

If a potential suicide bomber is identified, in most cases the attack can be stopped without resorting to the "shoot to kill" policy that resulted in the death of an innocent man in London in July. Most suspects will turn out to be false positives. Good intelligence is essential, but so are physical security measures. Israeli military and counterintelligence forces often force suspects to go to a secure area and disrobe, removing a suicide belt if there is one, or using a robot to investigate.

Public areas, particularly attractive public targets like public transportation, shopping, entertainment, restaurants, churches, schools and other large gathering places, may consider using explosives detection and secure boundaries. As Britain's domestic intelligence agency, MI5, points out, "any bomber, whether driving a lorry or wearing an exploding body-belt, needs physical access in order to achieve his or her end. The principle behind protective measures should therefore be denial of access to anyone, or to any thing, that has not been thoroughly searched". One implementation approach is suggested by the Treadstone Group, which suggests ten procedures to help deter or mitigate terrorist attacks. These are: enforce a standoff zone, implement surveillance detection, screen deliveries; stagger security, facilitate evacuation, screen visitors, screen employees, review emergency procedures, make security the responsibility of all users, and assess your security.

In addition to private security firms, businesses and individuals can get further information and assistance from government emergency preparedness officials and websites, as well as form local law enforcement organizations.

Further Reading:

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